Apparatus for heat treating metal bodies



July 21, 1942. w, JONES 2,290,283

APPARATUS FOR HEAT TREATING MET AL BODIES Filed Aug. 11, 1939 4 Sheets-Sheet l I E j INVENTOR- HOMER W. JONES ATTQ R N EY July 21, 1942. H. w. JONES 2,290,233

I APPARATUS FOR HEAT TREATING METAL BODIES Filed Aug. 11, 1939 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 W2; 5 4940 0 45m 0 mill V nil]... A I m 4/4 99 79 L INVENTOR 50/ 49 HOMER w. JONES 7:5 BY 2%., m

ATTORNEY ziXTPflR-KTUSI'OR HEAT TREATING METAL BODIES Filed Aug. 11, 19:59 4 shQet's-asheejl 3 INVENTOR Lth T ATTORN EY 1 ./Z5 m7 HOMER WJONES W BY July 21, 1942. H. w. JONES 2,290,283

APPARATUS FOR,HEAT I'REATING METAL BODIES Filed Aug, 11, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 M w 46' ILl' I INVENTOR HOMER w.- JONES ATTORNEY f Patented July 21, 1942 STATES, j I srrmrrus roajrinmmo Mum Homer Jones, Westfleld, N. J., assignor to The Linde Air-Products Ohio Company, a corpo ation of Application August 1i, 1e39, Serial No. 289,558

. .9 claims. This invention relates to. apparatus for the heat treatment of metal bodies having a plurality of integral portions of the same longitudinal extent, and more particularly to the heat treatment of cams upon a camshaft. This invention also relates to apparatus for hardening the surface of a plurality of cams upon a camshaft in which the surfaces to be hardened are heated by sources of localized high temperature heat, such as oxy-acetylene blowpipe flames.

He'retofore, camshafts have generally been made of mild chrome-nickel or'straight carbon By utilizing sources of localized high tempera-.

ture heat, and heating'only those portions .de-

sired to be hardened,thermal stresses in the body of the camshaft may be avoided; a straight carbon steel, such as S. A. E. 1045, may be used; and a single treatment may be utilized to harden the cams. This will effect a considerable reduction in costs, since the copper plating, machining, carburizing, and straightening steps of the previous method are eliminated.

Due to the extreme diversity 'of physical dimensions of camshafts and calm, such as overall length, distance-between cams, cam width, cam

ramp contours, etc., apparatus for hardening "cams on a cam shaft, to be successful, must necessarily possess sufficient flexibility so that the least possible time will be required to alignthe blowpipe headsv with respect to the work, or to make adjustments for cam spacing and other variables.

The objects of thisinvention are to provide ap;

of the same longitudinal extent, or a plurality of similar extending portions of a ferrous metal body; to provide apparatus for hardeningv a cam or plurality of cams on a camshaft in which.

sources of hightemperature heat and quenching means are utilized, and in which the surfaces to be hardened are-heated and quenched uniformly; to provide apparatus for hardening aplurality of cams upon a camshaft which is illustrating the treatment of a cam by a easily adjustable to permit treatment of camshafts of varyinglengths and 'cams of different widths; to provide such apparatus which will produce a relative reciprocal motion between the cams and a plurality of sources of high temperature heat directed onto the respective cams, and also between the cams and a plurality of quenching means; to provide such apparatus in which high temperature heating flames are directed from blowpipe heads against the portions to be hardened, and in which the blowpipe heads may be moved away from the body and. simultaneously therewith the supply of gases to the blowpipe heads automatically turned off and a quenching medium to cool the heated surfaces. automatically turned on; and generally to provide an'apparatus whereby uniformly heat treated wearing surfaces can be consistently and economically.

duplicated. .Other objects and novel featuresof this invention will become apparent from the following description and accompanying drawings. in which:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of apparatus constructed in accordance with this invention and. utilized in hardening simultaneously a plurality of cams upon a camshaft; Fig. 2 is a bottom view, looking upwardly, of

- Fig. 4 is a top view, looking downwardly, of, the apparatus of Fig. ,1, certain elements being omitted for the sake of clarity; I v

Fig. "5 is an enlarged partial hor'izontalview, heating blowpipe and'quenching means; I

Fig. 6 is a vertical view of he blowpipe, quenching means, and cam of Fig.

Fig. 7 is. a front elevation of apparatus. con- I structed in accordance with this invention and forming a second embodiment thereof;

Fig. 8 is a'top view, looking downwardly, of

.45 paratus for heat treating a plurality of portions certain parts being omitted for the sake of clarity; I I

Fig. 9 is a vertical sectional view taken along line 9-9 of Fig. 7; and

Fig. 10 is a front elevation of a lathe illustrating the utility thereof in constructing apparatus such as that of Fig. 7.

Since cams generally are adapted to lift or actuate cam-followers, and each cam upon a camshaft usually actuates\its follower only once during everyfrotation of the camshaft, the greater,

v to lift or actuate the follower.

or normal part of the cam surface is cylindrical for simultaneously hardening the apexes of a plurality of cams on a camshaft is constructed as in Figs. 1-4 in which the camshaft is mounted in a vertical position, or is constructed as in Figs. 7-9 in which the cam shaft is mounted in a horizontal position. In either instance, ,the camshaft is reciprocated longitudinally while heating flames are directed from suitable blowpipe heads against the surface portions to be hardened, and a cooling and quenching medium is then applied to the heated surfaces in order to harden the same. Each apparatus is provided with an operating handle or lever and so constructed that the blowpipe heads may be moved away from the heated surface portions, and, si-

multaneously therewith, the heating gases automatically turned off and the quenching fluid the cams having apexes spaced approximately supported by tubular stanchions H, which at the lower ends thereof are mounted on carriers, such as slides S, in turn supported upon a platform P. The camshaft C is mounted in a vertical position between a center I2 of an upper supporting assembly U and a center 13 of a lower supporting assembly L, the points of centers l2 and I3 being inserted in the centering holes in the ends of camshaft C. The upper assembly U is supported by a vertical column ll resting upon and preferably welded to platform P, and the lower assembly L is supported upon platform P but slidable therethrough.

Each blowpipe B directs heating flames over in order to accommodate the narrowestwidth of cam which may be treated. In order that the entire width of each apex will be heated, and also to produce a more uniform heating effect, the lower assembly L and camshaft C are reciprocated vertically by a motor M through suitable linkage, and with an amplitude sufflcient to cause the heating flamesto impinge upon substantially the entire width of each apex. The lower assembly L may be lowered to permit the replacement of a treated camshaft by an untreated one, or the placement of an untreated camshaft between centers I2 and I3; and further to facilitate the loading operation, the blowpipes B and quenching means Q may be withdrawn from their positions adjacent the camshaft by movement of stanchions I i radially outwardly through movement of slides S, the latter movement being effected through a handle or may be accomplished, as well as the manner in off, and the quenching fluid automatically turned on, will be apparent from a later more detailed description.

The apparatus illustrated in Figs. 7-9, in which the camshaft is mounted in a horizontal position, comprises in general a plurality of blowpipes B, similar to the blowpipes of the apparatus of Figs. 1-4, and quenching means Q, which respectively direct high temperature heating flames and a quenching bath against cams A of a camshaft C, the cams having apexes variably spaced around the periphery of the camshaft. The blowpipes B are supported by vertical quadrants l5, which are mounted on longitudinal plates. l6; while longitudinal plates l6 are mounted on transverse slides S, in turn centrally mounted on a framework F which is similar to that of a lathe. The camshaft C is held in its horizontal position between a right hand center l2 of a supporting assembly R and a'left hand center IS, the points of centers I2 and I3 being inserted in the center holes in the ends of camshaft C; The supporting assembly R is mounted on a horizontally adjustable-support ll, similar to the tail-stock of a lathe, and centerl3' is mounted in and horizontally reciproca'ble through an upright bracket portion I8 of framework F.

As before, each blowpipe' B directs heating I flames over only a part of the width of the apex treated one, or the placement of an untreated camshaft between the centers; and further to facilitate the leading operation, the blowpipes B are withdrawn from their positions adjacent the camshaft by movement of" slides S and plates l6 transversely outwardly, the movement being effected through a handle or lever H. The specific manner in which the above may be accomplished, as well as other operational features,

lever H. The specific manner in whichthe above will be apparent from a later scription.

Refe ring now to Figs. 1-4, in the apparatus of which'the camshaft is held in a vertical position, the operation of the apparatus therein illustrated and the novel features thereof will become apparent from the more detailed description which follows. i

The upper assembly U, as in Fig. 1, includes the center l2; an externally threaded housing 20 having an adjusting wheel 2| and a cap 22 attached thereto; and a spring 23 bearing at its upper end against cap 22 and at its lower end against a circumferentially extending boss 24 of center l2. The spring 23 permits center l2 to follow reciprocations of the camshaft, and also more detailed depermits the camshaft to expand or contract during treatment. During reciprocation, center I2 oscillates within housing 20 and is guided at its upper end by cap 22 and at its lower end by boss means should the camshaft become dislodged from center l2 during reciprocation. A bracket 26 has an internally threaded portion at one end adapted to receive housing 20, and a split portion at the other end to permit the bracket to be adjustably clamped on column I4 by a clamping screw. 21. Vertical adjustment of upper aslengths may be obtained by raising or lowering bracket 26 upon column l4, and-adjustment of the tension of spring 23 may be obtained through turning adjusting wheel 2|.

The lower assembly L, as in Fig. 1, includes the center. l3; a skirt 29, extending upwardly beyond the lower end of the camshaft for the same purpose as skirt of the upper assembly; an indexing stud secured in skirt 25 and inserted within the indexing hole of the camshaft to position the camshaft accurately ratus and radially with respect to the blowpipes B and quenching means Q; and a skirt supporting sleeve 3| having an internally extending portion in threaded engagement with center l3 and also a depending skirt 32. The internally extending portion of the supporting sleeve is screwed tightly against a shoulder 33 formed on center l3, and depending skirt 32 prevents entry of quenching fluid into a lubricated guiding hearing or sleeve 34, within which center 13 reciprocates. Bearing 34, as in Fig. 3, is internally machined to fit center l3 and has an outwardly extending flange 35 resting upon, and secured to platform P by suitable means, such as-bolts 36 and platform P is provided with a suitable aperture 31 through which the lower portion of hearing 34 extends.

The motor M, as in Fig. 3, is secured .to the lower side of a mounting bracket 38, whichis secured to the underside of platform P, prefer-' ably by welding; and the motor is also provided with a speed reducer 39, formed integrally therewith. A crank 40 provided with an adjustable block 4| is mounted upon a low speed shaft 42 of speed reducer 39, while a connecting rod 43 is pivotally. attached at one end to the adjustable crank and at the other end, by a pin 44, to a link 45. The link 45 at one end is pivotally attached to the lower end of center l3 by a pin 46, and at the other end is pivotally attached to the 'upper end of a link 41 by means of a pin 48.

The link 41 at its lower end is pivoted upon a normally fixed pin 49 so that when shaft 42 is rotated by motor M through speed reducer 39, the lower end of connecting rod 43 will revolve therewith, and a reciprocatory motion will be transmitted to center l3 through link 45.

The normally fixed pin 49, as in Figs. 2 and 3,

connects link 41 with an arm 50, which is attached to a shaft 5| pivoted in collars 52, which are in turn mounted upon legs .53 of platform P. The pin 49 is held in its normally fixed position by an arm 54, secured at one end to shaft 5| and having at its other end a loading pedal 55. The

loading pedal is provided with an extension 56-, normally held in the "down position by a latch 51, which is attached to the lower end-of a triangular supporting frame 58, as in Figs. 1'

and 2. In order to place a camshaft within the apparatus for treatment, or to replace a treated camshaft with an untreated one, latch 51 may be released; and due to the weight of the lower assembly L, or that weight augmented by the weight of a treated camshaft and the pressure of spring 23, pedal 55 will rise to the dotted position of Fig. l. The link 41, arm 54, and loading pedal 55 will then have assumed the dotted positions of Fig. 1; link 45 will have "pivotedabout pin 44 to assume its dotted position; and the entire assembly L will have been lowered, the center l3 also assuming its dotted position. A

treated camshaft may then be removed and/or an untreated camshaft placedupon center l3 in the appa-- with indexing stud 30 properly inserted wit the indexing hole; and the newly inserted camshaft may subsequently. be raised into contact with upper center l2 and inposition for treatment by depressing and latching pedal 55.

After a camshaft has been placed in position v for treatment in the foregoing manner, motor M is started by means of a suitable control switch,

which may bemounted in any convenient position, such as on leg 53 adjacent handle H. The amount of reciprocation is then tested, and block 4| adjusted to provide the amplitude necessary for the width of cam under treatment. When a plurality of camshafts having similar cams are being-treated, only a single setting, that for the first camshaft, will be necessary A combustion supporting gas, such as oxygen, and a combustible gas, such as acetylene, are supplied to blowpipes B by hoses 60 and BI, respectively connected with vertical manifolds 62 and 63, as in Figs. 1 and 4. A cooling .fiuid, such as water, is supplied to blowpipes B, by hoses 64, leading from a vertical conduit 65, and the warmed cooling water is led by hoses 66 from the blowpipes to a vertical discharge conduit 61. A quenching fluid, such as water, is supplied to quenching means Q by hoses 68, leading from vertical conduits 69. The vertical manifolds and conduits at their upper ends are plugged, and at their lower ends are provided with caps 10, secured to the sides of platform P in a suitable manner, such as by welding. The vertical manifolds and conduits are also attached to braces H by suitable means, such as clamps I2, to render them more firm, In order thatthe apparatus may be more efficiently operated, manifolds 62 and 53 and conduits and 69, respectively, .are provided with oxygen pressure gauges l3, acetylene pressure gauges l4, cooling water pressure gauges l5, and quenching water pressure gauges 16, disposed in vertically staggered relation, as in Fig. l, to provide abetter view of the same.

Oxygen and acetylene are supplied from mains 11 to manifolds 62 and 63. For this purpose, hoses [8 connect mains I1 and control valves V, which are attached to brackets 19 secured to either side of platform P, as in Fig. 2; while hoses 80 lead from valves V to caps 10 atthe lower ends of the manifolds,,as in Fig. 1. A common lever 8| is connected to handles 32 of the valves ures), so that the gas supply to all of the blow- T pipes may be simultaneously shut off or turned on. Valves V are preferably ofa type which will shut off the oxygen beforethe acetylene, to pre-- vent pure oxygen from attacking the heated surfaces; and are also preferably of a snap-action type, i. e.. when intheon position as shown,

and handles 82 are moved slightly past a central position, the handles will snap to the off position.

Hoses 83, as in Fig. 1, lead from a water main 84 to conduits 65, which supply cooling water to blowpipes B; and suitable means (not shown) .connects a branch water main 85 with conduits 69, whichsupply quenching water to quenching means Q. The branch main 85, as in Fig. 2, is provided with a shut-off valve 86 and a plunger operated valve'61, the latter being actuated by a cam 88 having a configuration similar to that illustrated. The cam 88 is pivoted at one end on 'a pin 89 secured-to the underside of platform P,

and at the other end is slidable within and supported by an elongated bracket 90, which is also secured to the underside of platform P.

The slides S, as in Fig. 4, include ways 9| and slidable plates 92. Ways 9| are attached to platform P by suitable means, such as bolts 93, and ways 9| and plates 92 form rectangular tongue and groove connections. Two opposite stanchions II are attached directly to plates 92 by suitable means, such ,as by welding; while the away from the camshaft, plates 92 are provided with studs 91, as in Fig. 3, which extend downwardly through slots 98 in platform P. Studs 91 are pivotally attached to links 99, and links 99 are in turn pivotally attached to the four corners of a square plate I having a relatively large circular aperture machined in the center thereof. A plurality of rollers 'IOI, secured to the underside of platform P, are provided with grooves slightly wider than the thickness of plate I00 so that the plate will be supported by the rollers and rotate within the grooves; and plate I00 may be formed integrally with handle H, as in Fig. 2.

Oxygen and acetylene may be turned on by moving a handle I02 of a rod I03. As in Fig. 2, rod I03 is pivoted in suitable apertures in legs I04 of platform P, and is provided with a pin I05 extending into a hole I08 in lever 8|. By turning handle I02, lever 8| may be moved to a desired position, such as'that shown in Fig. 1', in which the handle has been turned in the direction of the arrow to turn on the oxygen and the acetylene.

Handle H is movable along the upper leg of triangular supporting frame 58, as in Figs. 1 and 2. In the extreme left hand or operating position, handle H is adjacent a bracket I01 which, with a bracket I08, supports triangular frame 58. The upper leg of triangular frame 58 is provided with an interference I09, so placed that as soon as the cam apexes under treatment have been heated sufliciently, handle H may be shifted from left to right until it. contacts the interference, or into quenching position. During this movement, handle H will cause the blowpipes to be partially retracted, the heating gases to be turned off, and the quenching water to be turned on. A' pin IIO, as in Fig. 2, depending from plate I00, contacts an adjustable stop III attached to valve lever BI in order to turn off the supply of gases to the blowpipes. The distance handle H moves before contacting interference I09 is so proportioned to cause handies 82 of valves V to be moved just past their central position, the handles then snapping to the off position in the manner previously de-- scribed. At the same time, a hinged clevis II2, attached to plate I00 and provided with a roller II3 operating against cam 88, turns on the.

quenching water by causing the plunger of valve 81 to be depressed. In case valves of other than the snap-action type are utilized, stop III may be slidably mounted upon lever 8| and connected thereto by a spring having a suitable resistance to movement of stop III. Such a spring will cause the valves to be closed during movement of handle H from its left hand posi- III to slide along lever 8| when handle H is moved to the extreme right hand position.

As soon as the heated cam apexes have been cooled sufficiently to harden the same, handle H is moved over interference I09 to its extreme right hand position adjacent bracket I08. Slides S will then be moved to their extreme outward position and the quenching water will be turned off, sincedue to the configuration of cam 88 roller II3 will no longer depress the cam sufliciently to keep valve 81 open. As soon as the slides are in their extreme outward position, the treated camshaft may be removed and an untreated one positioned in the apparatus in the manner previously described. After the untreated camshaft has been placed in position, handle H is moved from right to left to move the slides inwardly, thereby placing blowpipes B in heating position. To prevent the quenching water from being turned on when handle H is moved from right to left, hinged clevis H2 .is provided with a spring II4 which normally holds theclevis. in extended position, but permits the clevis to pivot so that roller II3 will pass lightly over cam 88.

A lighting blowpipe (not shown) may be provided which may hang upon a suitable bracket, such as a hook II5 attached to the side of platform P, as in Figs. 1 and 4; or the lighting blowpipe may be a separate piece of apparatus utilizedin conjunction with the apparatus heerin disclosed. Thislighting blowpipe is preferably an air-acetylene or air-city-gas torch which is passed quickly over the full length of the camshaft at the same time that control valves V are turned on, so that all of blowpipes B will be lighted substantially simultaneously.

Each blowpipe B, as in Fig. 1, includes a body I I1 provided with suitable control valves to control the flow of oxygen and acetylene from hoses 60 and SI to a suitable mixer disposed within body H1. The blowpipes are secured to stanchions II by adjustable clamps II8, which permit the blowpipes to be positioned in any vertical position on the stanchions, and also in any horizontal angular relation to the stanchions. Attached to the forward end of body H1 is a tube 9 for conveying the combustible mixture to a fork I20, as shown more clearly in Figs. 5

and 6. Heads |2I and I22, right and left hand (looking from above), are attached to the double end of fork I20. Heads I 2| and I22 are provided with suitable passages and outlets for the combustible mixture, which is directed as flames I23 upon only a portion longitudinally of the apex of cam A; and each blowpipe B is so positioned that the faces of heads I2I and I22 are substantially parallel to the sides of the apex.

The heating flames may be directed from a plurality of orifices, disposed in several rows in the faces of the heads, or from two or more slots. The heating flames are also directed upon only a portion laterally of the apex, so that the point of the apex will receive heat chiefly, or from'a practical standpoint only, by. conduction. Also, the amplitude of reciprocation is preferably such that the flames are not applied directly to upper and lower edges I24 and I25, respectively, of the apex, as will appear later. This results in a more uniform heating of the entire surface to be hardened, since the tendency for a lesser amount of heat to be conducted away from the point and also the edges of the apex is compensated for.

The head I22 is provided with an inlet connec- -tion I26, to which cooling water hose 64 is tached; and the heads are also provided with suitable passages so that cooling water is passed through head I22, enteringat the top, through a cross-over connection I21 to the bottom of head I2I, and discharged at the top 'of head I 2I,

through an outlet connection I28 to' cooling water outlet hose 66. It will be obvious that the arrangement of the elements for passing cooling water through heads I2I and I22 may be serves the same purpose as corresponding or similar parts of the apparatus of Fig. 1. However.- since handwheel II is in a relatively accessible position, this handwheel may be used in moving center I2 away from the end of a treated camshaft which is being removed, or in moving'cen-.

ter. I2 toward an untreated camshaft which is being placed in position for treatment.

A head I35, provided with, an indexing stud for insertion in the indexing 'hole of camshaft mately coincides with the lower edges of heads I2I and I22, .so that the flames will not be applied directly to lower edge I25; and in the lower dotted position, upper edge I24 of the apex approximately coincides with the upper edge of the heads I2I and I22, so that the flames will notbe applied directly to the upper edge of the C, is threadedly or otherwise suitably secured to center I3; A skirt "and skirt-supporting sleeve, as in the first embodiment, may also be secured to head I35.

The motor M is secured to a mounting bracket 38 attached to framework F, and is provided with a speed reducer 39', formed integrally therewith. To reciprocate center I3, a cam I36 is mounted upon the low. speed shaft of speed reducer'39, while a link 45' is provided at one end with a roller cream-follower. I3'I. A pin 46 attaches link 45'- to center I3, and link 45 oscillates about a fixed pin 48, which is secured in a U-shaped support I38 attached to bracket I0. Cam I36 may be replacedby other suitable cams for treating camshafts having cams of difapex. When the surface of the apex has reached the proper temperature, handle H may be move'd to the quenching position, i. e., into engagement with interference I09, where, as previously explained, the oxygen and acetylene is automatically turned off and the quenching water automatically turned on. At the same time heads I 2I and I22 and Jet-directing head I will assume the dotted positions of Fig. 5, in which the quenching water is directed from head I30 onto the point of the apex to spread in two streams along each inclined side of the surface of the apex.

In treating camshafts having cams whose apexes are spaced approximately 120 apart, 1. e., when the movable stanchions II are disposed in the dotted positions of Fig. 4, it is desirable to position the jet directing heads mounted on these movable stanchions at the sides of the respective blow-pipe heads. This compensates for the shift sidewise when these stanchions are moved to the quenching position, since the jet directing heads would otherwise no longer be directly in line with the points'of the apexes. When the jet directing heads are so positioned,

- the quenching'medium will be directed upon the point of each apex and flow evenly along each side thereof.

Referring now to Figs. 7-9, in the apparatus of which the camshaft is held in a horizontal position, a more detailed description of this second embodiment followsa The right hand supporting assembly R, which is similar to the upper assembly U of Fig. 1, comprises center I2; an externally threaded housing 20 having an adjusting wheel 2I' and a' cap 22 attached thereto; and a spring 23 bearing at one end against cap 22' and at the. other end against a circumferentiallyextending boss 24' of center I2. As before, a skirt 25 is attached to the end of the supporting-assembly to prevent injury to the blowpipes should the camshaft become dislodged; support I'I has an internally threaded portion adapted to receive housing 20'; and a clamping screw 21 permits the position of support H to be adjusted to acferent widths, but an adjustable crank, as'in the first embodiment, may be substituted for cam I36 and follower M31. A suitable switch for starting and stopping motor M may be mounted in any convenient position, such as on framework F adjacent handle H.

,commodate camshafts of different lengths. As .75

Quadrants I5 are mounted on plates I6 in any suitable manner, such as by clamping; bolts I39 which extend through longitudinal slots in plates I0, so that each quadrant may be adjusted longitudinally of plate I6 to cause the position of each blowpipe B to coincide with the particular cam to be treated.

The blowpipes B of the second embodiment are similar in construction to those of the first em-- bodiment, but are not provided with attached jet directing heads. Tubes N9 of the blowpipes, as in Fig. 9, are adjustably secured to quadrants I5 by U-clamps I40. Tubes II9 pass through suit able apertures in each leg of clamps I40, and are held against one side of the quadrants by wing screws I4;I which are threaded through clamps I40, the wing screws bearing against the opposite sides of the quadrants. By loosening wing screws I4I, blowpipes B may be slipped toward or away from camshaft C for positioning purposes, and clamps I40 may be moved alongquadrants I5 to align each heating head radially with respect to the particular cam apex to be heated. Wing screws I4I may then be tightened against quadrants I5, and the blowpipes ,and heating heads thereby secured in operative heating position.

Blowpipes B are supplied with oxygen and acetylene by hoses 60 and 6|, respectively. Hoses 60' and 5| are respectively connected with pipes or'manifolds 62 and 63', the manifolds being disposed horizontally along both the front and rear of framework F. The flow of gases to the manifolds and blowpipe is controlled by a "valve V, mounted at the rear of the framework,

as in Fig. 8. Inlet hoses .10 connect valve V with suitable sources of supply of a combustible *gas, such as acetylene, and a combustionsupporting gas, such as oxygen; while hoses lead 00" to the rear manifol s. I

Valves V' are preferably of.a push-to -open type, buttons I42 thereof being spring-loaded so from valve V to the front manifolds, and-hoses will be apparent, each of the parts just described that when pushed inwardly by pressure of a block I43, the heating gases will be turned on. Conversely, when the pressure exerted by block I43 is removed, the heating gases will be shut off. Buttons I42 are preferably adjustable in length, or differ in length, so that the oxygen will be shut off before the acetylene, for reasons previously set forth.

As previously indicated, handle H is utilized in moving slides S and plates I6 transversely outwardly to cause blowpipes B to be withdrawn from the heating position. For this purpose, handle H is secured to, or made integrally with,

' a disc I44, while links I45 and I46 plvotally connect disc I44 with front and rear slides S, respectively. Disc I44 pivots about a pin I41 secured to a supporting bracket I48, and bracket I48 is in turn secured to the front of the bed of framework F in a suitable manner, such as by welding.

When handle H is disposed alongside framework F, as in the full position of Fig. 8, slides S will be disposed closely together with blowpipes B in heating position; and when handle H is moved outwardly through an arc of 90, such as to the dotted position in Fig; 8, links I45 and I46 will cause slides S to move outwardly away from each other to the loading, or dotted, position of Fig. ,8. When in the loading position, a treated camshaft may be removed, and/or acamshaft to be treated may be placed between centers I2 and I3, center I2 being moved toward or away from the camshaft by handwheel 2I as previously described.

After the camshaft to be treated' has been I position, thereby permitting alignment and adjustment of the blowpipes with respect to the cams to be treated. In treating a plurality of identical camshafts, such alignment and adjustment is necessary only in the case of the initial camshaft treated. When the blowpipes have been moved mto heating position, and the heating gases turned on, the heating flames may be ignited by a suitable lighting blowpipe passed quickly along the length of the camshaft. The lighting blowpipe, as in the first embodiment, may be an air-fuel gas, or air-city gas torch.

As soon as the cam apexes reach the desired temperature, usually after a timed interval of heating the extent of which is determined previously by experiment or otherwise, handle H is moved away from the framework to the quenching position, which corresponds to the position of handle H when it contacts interference I69 of Fig. 2; As handle H is moved outwardly, the pressure of block I43 against buttons I42 of valve V will be removed, the heating gases thereby being turned off; and a cam I52 will turn on valve 81, which controls the flow of quenching fluid through a hose I53 to the quenching means Q. Quenching fluid under suitable pressure is supplied to valve 81 by a pipe I54, p ovided with a shut-off valve I55.

The quenching means Q comprises a header or pipe I51 from which lead a. plurality of branch'pipes I58. Header I51 is disposed at the rear and above the remainder of the apparatus, and branch pipes I 58 extend forwardly to a point above the camshaft and then downwardly towards the same. Branch pipes I58 are preferably screwed into threaded outlets in header I 51, so that each branch pipe may be positioned at various longitudinal points which correspond with the positions of the cams on different types of camshafts. In addition, the threaded outlets in header I51 are sufliciently numerous to permit the connection of branch pipes for treating. a camshaft having a greater number of cams, unused threaded outlets being closed by suitable means, such as plugs I59.

The header and branch pipes are sufliciently large to direct a bath of ,coolmg medium onto the heated surfaces, bed I60 of framework F forming a trough which collects the used cooling medium. The cooling medium may be water, or a special quenching solution, such as an aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide. In the former instance, the water may be led from the collecting trough to a waste drain in any suitable manner; and in the latter instance, the quenching solution may be returned by suitable means, such as a pump (not shown) -to a tank located above the apparatus.

After the heated surfaces are cooled sufficiently to harden the same, handle H is moved to the dotted position of Fig. 8, the loading and unloading position. During this movement, the quenching medium will be turned ofi in the following manner. Cam I 52 is pivoted at one end on a lower horizontal arm of an angle bracket I62, the upper vertical arm of which is bolted or otherwise suitably secured to the rear slide. The

other end of cam I52 is beveled to engage a roller I63 mounted on one end of an operating handle or lever I64 of valve 81'. Cam I52 is so positioned with respect to roller I63 that when in the quenching position valve 81' will be opened; but when handle H is moved to the loading and unloading position, after the heated cam apexes' have been quenched and thereby hardened, cam I52 will slip past the roller I63 and valve 81' will close.

After th treated camshaft has been removed and a camshaft to be treated has been placed in position for treatment, handle H is moved again to the heating position. During this movement, cam I 52 will pivot on roller I53, assuming the dotted position of Fig. 8 as the front and rear slides move toward each other, and cam I52 will thereafter slip past roller I63. A spring I65 pulls cam I52 back to its extended position against a stop I66 after the cam has slipped past roller I63, and car". I52 will then be in operative position for the next quenching operation.

When a tank of quenching liquid located above the apparatus is utilized, valve 81' may be located Just beneath the tank, or at any suitable position in a line between the tank and header I51. In such a case, an extension rod may connect lever I64 and. a lever similar thereto for operating valve 81 in its new position, but other suitable ways in which the quenchingmedium ber of camshafts.

I 2,290,283 Fig. 10, no substantial alteration is made in the f attendant parts for supporting the blowpipes are mounted on slides S. Handle H and cooperating parts for moving slides 8- toward and away fromeach other, and for automatically turning on and off the heating gases and quenching medium, are preferably substantial duplicates of corresponding parts of the apparatus of Figs. 7-9.

The operation of the apparatus'in which a" lathe is utilized as the framework is identical with the operation of the apparatus of Figs. 7-9.

In each of the embodiments described, the camshaft is reciprocated longitudinallyduring both heating and quenching, and the quenching medium is applied to the heated surfaces substantially simultaneously with the discontinuance of heating. In addition, by resiliently sup- .porting the camshaft at one end, thereby permitting longitudinal expansion or contraction during treatment, warping or distortion is prethe scope of this invention. I I

What is claimed is: f I 1. Apparatus for heat treating a plurality of cams upon a camshaft, comprisin a plurality of I blowpipes for applying high tem rature heat to vented. These factors produce more uniform.

results, both in the case of the individual cams.

in a single camshaft, and in the case of each of a plurality of similar camshafts. Thus, the uniform results secured in treating a single camshaft can be duplicated with success for any num- Obviously, such successful duplication of results is of particular importance in large scale commercial operations.

While the apexes of the cams illustrated have sides of the same length, it may be desirable to treat apexes having sides of unequal length, or

one or both sides of a curved or other special contour to provide a particular sort of motion said cams; means for supporting said camshaft in operative relation with respect to said blowpipes, said means including two members adapted to. engage said camshaft at either end thereof;

means for reciprocating said camshaft andsaid.

members longitudinally of said camshaft; and

means disposed closely adjacent to and surrounding the ends of said camshaft for preventing damage to said blowpipes in case said camshaft becomes dislodged from either of I I said sup.-

porting members during reciprocation.

2. Apparatus for heat treating a plurality of cams upon a camshaft, comprising means for. ap-

plying high temperature heat to I said cams; means, including reciprocable members in contact with said camshaft at the ends thereof, for

supporting said camshaft in operative relation with respect to said heating means; means for reciprocating said members and said camshaft, said reciprocating means including linkage means reciprocable about a normally fixed center; and means connected with said linkage means at said normally fixed center formoving.

said normally fixed center and thereby move one of said contacting members toward or away from I the other of' said contacting members.

3. Apparatus for heat treating a plurality of cams upon a camshaft, comprising'a plurality of blowpipes for applying high temperature heat to said cams; means for supplying a combustible gas and a combustion supporting gas to said blowpipes; means for supporting said camshaft; means for applying a quenching fluid to said cams; means 'for supporting said blowpipes in operative relation with respect to said camshaft;

, means for supplying said quenching means with a to a follower. In such instances, heads HI and I22 may be replaced by other heads having a plurality of nozzles or orifices adapted to produce a flame pattern in accordance with the length or the contour of such surfaces, or a reciprocatory motion other than simple harmonic may be imparted to centers I3 or I3 by substituting a suitable cam and follower for crank 40 of Figs. l-3 or a difierent cam for cam I36 of Fig. 7, in order 'to harden uniformly the surfaces of apexes of unusual shape. In addition, it may be desirable to substitute for fork I20 an adjustable connec tion so that heads I2I and I22 may be moved closer together or further apart to accommodate cams/having apexes of dimensions di fierent from those illustrated.

While the hardening of the surface or the apexes of .c'ams has been illustrated, it may be desirable in some instances to harden a'greater I portion of the cams, and for thatpurpose heads I2l and I22 may more nearly encircle the cams I so as to heat a greater portion of the surface of the cams. In addition, the principles of this in-' vention maybe applied to metal bodies other than camshafts which have a pluralityofsimilar projections or laterally extending portions to be hardened, or a plurality of portions'of the same longitudinal extent to be hardened. Other tively connected with said tuming on the supply of gases to said blowpipes quenching fluid; means for moving said blowpipe supporting means toward and away from said camshaft so as to move said blowpipes toward and away from said camshaft 5 and means operamoving means for and turningv on the supply of quenching fluid to said quenching means when said supporting means is moved away from said camshaft.

- '4,. Apparatus for heat treating a plurality of I cams upon a camshaft, comprising a platform;

means for supporting said camshaft perpendicularly with respect to said platform; a plurality of carriers upon said platform and disposed radially about said camshaft and movable toward and away from said camshaft; a plurality of supports attached to said carriers and movable therewith toward and away from said camshaft;

a plurality of blowpipes and quenching means mounted upon said supports and adjustable verleast one of said blowpipe supports pivoted upon one of said carriers.

tically thereupon; and means for moving said 1 carriers toward and away from said camshaft.

5. Apparatus as defined in claim 4, in which at I is adjustably 6. In apparatus for heat treating a plurality of cams upon a camshaft, the combination .comprising means for supporting said camshaft at either end thereof; a plurality of blowpipes for directing high temperature heating flames against the surface of each of said cams; a pair of carriers for moving-said blowpipes toward and away from said cams; a plurality of curved memchanges may be made without departing from bers attached to said carriers and movable therewith, said members being curved in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said camshaft; and adjustable means for securing said blowpipes'to said curved members whereby the position of each. of said blowpipes may be adjusted radially about said camshaft.

7. Apparatus for heat'treating a plurality of means for supplying said quenching means with cams upon a camshaft, comprising reciprocating means'engaging one end of said camshaft to reciprocate said camshaft in the direction of its longitudinal axis; a relatively stationary support disposed adjacent the opposite end of said camshaft; supporting and aligning means engaging the opposite end of said camshaft and mounted on said support so as to be reciprocable relative to said support in the direction of the longitudinal axis of said camshaft; resilient means operatively connecting said support and said supporting and aligning means for urging the latter toward said reciprocating means; and means for applying high temperature heat to said cams.

8. Apparatus for heat treating a plurality of cams upon a camshaft as claimed in claim '7, including means for adjusting the force exerted by said resilient means upon said supporting and aligning means.

9. Apparatus for heat treating a plurality of cams upon a camshaft, comprising a plurality of a quenching fluid; means for moving said blowpipe supporting means toward and away from said camshaft so as to move said blowpipes toward and away from said camshaft; and means operatively connected with said moving means for turning off the supply of gases to said blowpipes and turning on the supply of quenching fluid to said quenching means when said supporting means is moved away from said camshaft to a predetermined positioxnand for turning off the supply of quenching fluid when said supporting means is moved away from said camshaft further than said predetermined position, said connected means being inoperative during subsequent movement of said blowpipe supporting means toward said camshaft so that the supply of quenching fluid to said quenching means will not be turned on during such subsequent movement.

HOMER, W. JONES. 

